UST Bar topnotcher gets P1.2-M cash gift from DivinaLaw Foundation

University of Santo Tomas (UST) Bar topnotcher Ephraim Porciuncula Bie on Friday got a P1.250 million cash gift from the DivinaLaw Foundation, according to UST Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina.

In a message to GMA News Online, Divina said the Foundation also gave Pio Vincent Roura Buencamino, another Bar topnotcher, with P530,000.

“This is not about the money but a fitting tribute for Ephraim, Pio and the entire batch for having brought pride and honor to UST, for inspiring the batches after them, for motivating further their professors and simply, bringing joy to the entire Thomasian community,” Divina said.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced that 3,812 out of 10,387 examinees passed the 2023 Bar examinations, with Bie ranking first with a score of 89.2625%.

Buencamino, meanwhile, received a score of 88.25%.

According to Divina, he was able to get an extra reward from Atty. Rey Oben, who he called a “generous Thomasian benefactor." He said Oben gave Bie P500,000 and Buencamino P100,000.

The Alumni Foundation, meanwhile, gave Bie and Buencamino P200,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Divina said Bie had expressed heartwarming messages.

“But what I recall most distinctly is that ‘he was obsessed in making the Dean and the entire Faculty of Civil Law happy… His lucky charm is the picture of the Bar Examination Chairperson hung on his wall’,” he said.

The chairperson of the 2023 Bar exams was Associate Justice Ramon Hernando. 

Divina, meanwhile, advised future Bar takers from UST to work hard.

“Dream and your dreams will fall short. With hard work and prayers, nothing is impossible,” he said.

The 2024 Bar exams are scheduled on September 8, 11, and 15. —VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News